Democrats unveil bill banning in-game sports betting ads, bets on college athletes

Sen. Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.) and Rep. Paul Tonko (D-N.Y.) have introduced a bill banning bets during live sporting events and proposition bets on college athletes, aiming to protect consumers by requiring states that offer sports betting to comply with certain federal standards.

The legislation, dubbed the Supporting Affordability and Fairness with Every Bet (SAFE Bet) Act, intends to address what the lawmakers said were public health concerns surrounding the legalization of sports betting and potential increase of gambling addiction by setting standards in advertising, affordability and artificial intelligence.

The bill aims to prohibiting ads that promote the use of gambling products, show viewers how to gamble or explain how wagers work. It would also prohibit the use of credit cards for gambling accounts and prevent artificial intelligence from tracking consumers' gambling habits.

"This bill is a matter of public health. It is a matter of stopping addiction, saving lives, and making sure that young people particularly are protected against exploitation," Blumenthal said.

Tonko also said the bill would allow federal data collection on sports betting.

"This bill is an effort designed to prevent harm before it occurs," Tonko said.

The legislation has faced sharp criticism from the American Gaming Association (AGA), calling it a "slap in the face."

“Six years into legal sports betting, introducing heavy-handed federal prohibitions is a slap in the face to state legislatures and gaming regulators who have dedicated countless time and resources to developing thoughtful frameworks unique to their jurisdictions, and have continued to iterate as their marketplaces evolve," it said in a statement.

Sports betting is currently legal in 38 states and Washington, D.C., according to the AGA, and 30 of those states allow wagering online.